(a) whether any programme has been prepared for rehabilitation of weaker section in the country, especially in Maharashtra;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the areas identified for this purpose and the number of persons targeted to be benefited in Maharashtra along with the details of works undertaken so far; and
(d) the funds allotted so far?
MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI S. B. MOOKHERJEE)
(a) to (d) Yes, Sir. In March 1992, the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment launch the scheme of National Scheme for Liberation and Rehabilitation of Scavengers for training and rehabilitation of Manual scavengers in alternative occupations. The number of manual scavengers eligible for getting benefit under the scheme was 64,785 and the number of scavengers trained and rehabilitated and funds released since the inception of the scheme is given below:
Year No. of scavengers Funds released (Rs. In crore)
Trained Rehabilitated
1991-92 - - 3.70 1992-93 680 1650 6.59 1993-94 1034 2753 3.78 1994-95 1332 3246 5.00 1995-96 1782 3115 5.80 1996-97 1874 2349 0.00 1997-98 909 2273 0.00 1998-99 645 1678 0.00 1999-00 575 1313 0.00 2000-01 29 30 21.35 2001-02 2122 679 0.00
Total 10982 19086 46.22
The utilization certificate for 2001-02 has not been received so far.